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21 September, 2023.

The Family Counseling Center Recognizes October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month

] Across the nation, October is recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, an opportunity to educate communities on domestic abuse, share the stories of survivors, and publicize resources available to individuals, friends, and families. Begun in 1981, the month was officially dedicated to the issues of domestic abuse in 1989 by Congress. The topic of abuse goes well beyond the physical act of causing harm and can include emotional, financial, digital, and verbal abuse.

The Domestic Violence Program of Fulton County at The Family Counseling Center has a month full of advocacy and outreach planned. Their theme is that Not All Abuse is Physical and includes a concerted effort to educate the communities of Fulton County about the lesser known, but far too prevalent, forms of domestic abuse. “We see so many clients coming to us saying ‘But they never hit me,’” notes Amanda Anderson, Director of the Domestic Violence Program. “The truth is that abuse is much more often emotional or verbal, and we are seeing more and more financial abuse happening in relationships. The physical act of violence may never happen or happens in an environment where these other forms of abuse have been present for a while.”

The Domestic Violence Program has a full calendar of outreach events planned for the month of October including a Domestic Violence Awareness Walk in downtown Johnstown on Monday, October 2, 2023. The event will include a short half-mile walk starting at the Tree of Hope in front of the County Court Building and conclude at the Band Shell. There will be a small ceremony following the walk with New York State Senator Mark Walczyk, Assemblyman Robert Smullen, and Johnstown Police Chief Dvid F. Gilbo speaking.

Other outreach events include:

  • October 7th – Gloversville Fall Fest
  • October 7th & 8th – Wemple & Edick’s Craft Fair
  • October 8th – Serving the NOAH Meal at One Church Street
  • October 13th – Subway fundraiser at the Fonda Subway from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • October 18th – McDonald’s fundraiser at the Johnstown McDonald’s from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • October 19th – Purple Thursday- National Day of Action encouraging all to wear purple to show support for those who have experience domestic abuse and let them know help is available.
  • October 24th – Mental Health Association/The Family Counseling Center’s Trunk or Treat in Johnstown from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Month-Long – New and Gently Used Luggage Drive at Gloversville Public Library and Johnstown Public Library

The full calendar of events, details on the Domestic Violence Program of Fulton County, and resources for help can be found here.